‘Washington Is a Kleptocracy’ — How Close Is U.S. Democracy to Collapse?
February 17, 2026
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15:37Now Playing‘Washington Is a Kleptocracy’ — How Close Is U.S. Democracy to Collapse?
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as posted by the channel“Washington today is a kleptocracy… [America is] much closer to the end of democracy than most other Western democracies.
In part two of this ‘Mehdi Unfiltered’ interview, Mehdi Hasan continues his conversation with Financial Times’ editor and columnist Edward Luce to unpack foreign policy under Trump 2.0 and dive into whether or not Trump will actually use military force to annex Greenland.
Luce also explains the ’Trump effect’ on countries like Canada and the UK, trade deals with China and if Britain can take a leadership role outside of the EU. They also discuss how American democracy is on the brink of collapse.
Watch part one of this conversation now
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Guests & Subjects Covered
Claims
14 claims extractedWashington is a kleptocracy with no accountability
Congress functions as rubber-stamp parliament like czarist Duma
Trump administration targeting liberal democracy in Europe
Trump planning to rig midterm elections
ICE agents will control voting booths in elections
Trump loves spectacle of military action for television
Trump uses military action to distract from failed domestic agenda
Trump will escalate military adventurism if party loses House
Military conflict between NATO members over Greenland is conceivable
US democratic collapse faster than Hungary or Russia
Trump views Europe as woke California across Atlantic
Tech billionaires attack EU regulation and European leaders
Britain's hedging strategy leaves it exposed and dependent on US
China cannot be used as leverage against US; Europe is better option
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